3rd October 2025

To start with a new discovery, there is a Radio 3U (unwind) programme that I switch on every morning with its calming music it sets the day.  At the moment I am listening to Erland Cooper who I discovered a few weeks ago.  Here he is at Stonehenge being very artistic I'm afraid but I'm sure he will grow up one day.  He uses the violin a bit like another composer, John Tavener, not the 15th century John Taverner (notice subtle change of surname.)  But there again, I see the 'artistic temperament' is on show again.  Perhaps Hadley Freeman had it right ;) ;)

The modern Tavener creates religious music as did the old Taverner, it must appeal to some sort of ex Catholic faith that lingers in my soul. Listening I realise it is that moment when the bow is drawn across the violin it still makes a shiver go down my spine as we plunge into the music.

Family wise, well for a few days it has just been me and Andrew at home, Karen went off to Vevey to see her aunt and came back yesterday afternoon.  At the weekend Andrew's son will be down.  Andrew had been plotting a big walk but with Storm Amy? on the horizon it might be cancelled, then on Saturday afternoon they go to Leeds for the football match.  Matilda will also be down to have her hair done.  It's cheaper coming back to Tod then hairdressers in London.

Yesterday patched up the pocket of some linen shorts Andrew had bought from one of the second hand sites for their trip to Genoa.  Hopefully that holiday goes off safely the whole world is in the stages of unrest.  My sewing ability is hampered by my eyesight, yet I can still thread a needle but knitting is getting a bit difficult.  I hate dropping stitches and then having to pick them up but it keeps me focused.

Lucy The sun worshipper. She has nicked Paul's foot cushion out of his study and now sits at the back door catching the sun.

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A nature campaigner has died.  Doctor Jane Goodall and her lifetime work with chimpanzees is a person who was often on our radio.  She asked us to acknowledge 'the others' in this world.  The animals,  that cannot speak out for themselves.  Luckily there are people who work to save many creatures from the devastating harm we do to the elephants, lions,  orangutans and the many creatures who are sold in the exotic animal market.  We are kind to our domestic dogs and cats, well most anyway, but we should be aware that that watch on your wrist or that computer you are reading this now has had components that may have come from some far distant land and messed up the ecosystem for good.  

It is a never ending fight to protect the equal rights of these animals, we have driven many to the edge of extinction it is up to us to redress the balance.  People like Doctor Jane Goodall is of course a superb example of what to do, she dedicated her whole life to the job.